The Press., 1887-08-18
LOCAL. T0PICs-PENN,D AND ssClssORED.
(Winimantic Journal.l
BARN BURNERS RAGGED.

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 Three barns at Eagleville were burned within short time of one another, last winter. They were owned respectively by Martin Flaherty, M. G. Ross, and Perry Popple. That the fires were incendiary was unmistakable, but the guilty parties could notibe apprehended, although. re- ward was offered. Suspicion, however, rested upon the Costello brothers, Dennis and James. >% @s1
 During the burning of Mir. Flaherty's barn one COW and four sheep were rescued from the flames, and were afterwards sta bled in MT. Ross' barn. Soonsafter the latter was burned, but the self same COW and sheep were again saved. MT. Flaherty built new barn, and one night suspicious parties were seen lurking in the vicinity. MT. Flaherty concealed himself in the barn with shotgun, prepared to give the in cendiaries a warm reception should they attempt further destruction. They ap- preached the barn, but the growing oi MT. Flaherty's dog, which was with him in the barn, frightened them away. Mir. Flaherty, however, did not escape further molestation. The COW and four sheep, which had escaped death by fire, were found dead one morning, having been sur. repitiously slaughtered during the night. This continued destruction of MT. Fla herty's property thoroughly demonstrated that somebody bore him a grudge, and was taking this lawless method of revenge. The killing of the animals was kept Be- cret, and the public knew nothing about it. s4 .. y ... s4.........l a .ss-.
 A Colchester man, in order to secure the reward offered for the apprehension of the incendiaries, constituted himself detect i've, and hired out this summer on farm in Mansfield adjoining the Storrs farm, on which the Costello brothers were employ ed. He kept close watch upon the sus- pected parties, and in due time his watch fitness was rewarded, for he overheard the brothers talk about the barn burnlngs and learned enough to satisfy him that they were the incendiaries. On the strength oi his evidence warrants were issued for theil arrest. On Saturday last Sheriff Buell. came to Willimantic, and, with Officer Fred Clark, took Dennis Costello into GUS tody. The accused, immediately upon be- ing arrested, sent word to his brother by 3 friend of the predicament he was in. The messenger succeeded in getting to Eagle vile before the officers, and James Costello endeavored to make his escape, but was overtaken in his flight. The prisoners were put under $1, 900 bonds each to ap- pear for a preliminary examination before Justice Dimock on Thursday, Aug. 11th.
 At the hearing Thursday J. L.. Hunter conducted the prosecution, and Messrs. Hall and Sumner appeared for the accused. Messrs. Flaherty and Ross testified to the burning of their barns and regarding foot prints made by the incendiaries, asl did al- so J. o. F. and Albert Harris. Geo. O. Jackson, the detective referred to above, testified to overhearing a conversation be- tween Denn1s and James Costello, the prisoners. Dennis had been called afool by James, and he retaliated by saying, "Well, I'm not such fool as to wear my own boots when I burn barns, as you (James) did when you burned Ross barn. " James said no one could prove it.
 When the state rested counsel for the accused asked for a continuation until Fri day of this week, and it was granted.